Hays County Jury Awards $19,931.26 in Rear-End Collision

On November 8, 2015, a rear-end collision occurred in Hays County, Texas, when a defendant's SUV struck a vehicle occupied by two plaintiffs in a U-turn lane under Interstate 35. The plaintiffs claimed injuries including sprains, strains, headaches, and a disc bulge, which necessitated medical treatment.

The plaintiffs sued the striking vehicle's driver for negligence and his father, the vehicle owner, for negligent entrustment and vicarious liability, alleging the owner made the vehicle accessible to his son. The driver-defendant, who did not attend trial, largely admitted his fault but testified he believed the plaintiffs' vehicle was in motion. The vehicle owner denied negligent entrustment, contending his son took the vehicle without permission. The defense also disputed the plaintiffs' injury claims, citing treatment delays and inconsistencies in their medical records.

After a one-day trial, a Hays County jury deliberated for 112 minutes. The jury found only the driver-defendant negligent, rejecting the negligent entrustment claim against the vehicle owner. The plaintiffs were awarded a total of $19,931.26 for past medical costs, with $12,297 allocated to the driver-plaintiff and $7,634 to the passenger-plaintiff.